"I understand what it means to be the heir of Frank Corporation," Garrett said firmly, "but I believe running this company takes skill and strength, not the influence of a spouse. I'll earn the position I want using my own abilities, not by relying on anyone else."

The entire ballroom went silent.

Walter's face darkened, and the veins on his temple twitched in fury.

I lowered my gaze, rubbing my fingers together, but the corner of my mouth lifted ever so slightly.

Classic Garrett. Cold, proud, and ruthless to the core.

Too bad he'd forgotten that when Walter pulled the company out of crisis years ago, it was only because my family, the Wheelers, had stepped in to help.

Back then, Walter had even made a verbal agreement with my father to unite our families through marriage.

"Very well!"

Walter's anger finally snapped. He slammed the table so hard that the glasses rattled.

"If you think you're so damn capable, I'll let you prove it. Let's see how long you last on your own!"

With that, he stormed out. Michelle hurried after him.

Garrett reached out and pulled Loretta into his arms, his tone soft and serious.

"Don't worry," he said gently. "You'll always be Mrs. Frank. No one will ever take that from you."

I watched the two of them cling to each other, all teary-eyed and devoted, and turned to leave.

However, Garrett's voice stopped me.

"Wait."

He brushed off Loretta's helping hand and, still unsteady, caught up to me.

Leaning close to my ear, he whispered so only the two of us could hear.

"Rosie, you're reborn, too, aren't you? At least you're smart enough not to get in Loretta's way this time. In our last life, if you hadn't interfered and ruined everything, I would've never treated you so cruelly. Now that we're here again, as long as you stay in your place, I'll spare you and the Wheelers. If you still want to stay by my side, fine. But let's be clear: you'll never have a title."

I arched a brow, pretending not to understand.

"What are you talking about, Mr. Frank? I might not come from the most powerful family, but I still have my dignity. Why on earth would I agree to be someone's mistress?"

I met his gaze directly.

There was no way I'd let him know the truth. I didn't want the hatred and bloodshed of our past to come back and destroy the Wheelers all over again.

When I glanced down and saw the dark tint still creeping up his arm, I almost laughed.

Did he really think a few nice words could erase what he had done last time? If so, he had no idea who he was dealing with.

Once the poison in his right hand spread, he wouldn't even live long enough to regret it.

I sneered and yanked my hand free.

"Looks like you need to get a brain scan, Mr. Frank. You might find a screw loose in there."

Without waiting for a response, I brushed past him and walked away.

Garrett tried to grab me, but his legs gave out. He stumbled forward and hit the floor hard.

"Garrett!" Loretta screamed, her voice trembling with panic.

I calmly straightened my sleeve, never looking back.

God had given me a second chance. This time, no one was going to hurt me or my family.

Early the next morning, I heard the housekeeper shouting downstairs that someone had barged in.

Moments later, Loretta stormed into my room, eyes red and furious.

"Rosie! You're a rich girl with everything you could want. Why do you have to take Garrett from me? Don't you get it? He was supposed to be mine!"

I sat up slowly, my hair still messy from sleep. "Are you sure you're not mistaken? When exactly did I ever compete with you for anything?"

"You little…"

Loretta bit her lip. Her eyes were glistening with tears, her voice sharp with resentment.

"Then what were you two talking about yesterday? After Garrett passed out, he kept calling your name!"

I raised a brow, my tone almost playful.

"Oh, he didn't tell you?" I said lightly. "He's begging to marry me now."

Loretta's face went pale. She bit her lip and snapped, her voice suddenly high and sharp, "How is that possible? You must have used some dirty trick, you tramp!"

I was about to explain when she screamed and lunged at me, her hand flying up to slap my face.

The next moment, a round white furball from the corner shot out like lightning and bit her wrist hard. Loretta screamed and staggered back several steps, collapsing onto the floor.

I instinctively reached out to help her up.

But then, the front door was kicked open with a bang.

Garrett stood in the doorway, his face stone-cold.

"Rosie, how dare you train that animal to hurt Loretta!"

His dark eyes swept over Snowie, then fixed on me, his thin lips a cold line.

"I told you before, I'll kill anyone who hurts Loretta." He turned to the guards. "Why are you all standing there?"

The way he forced me into a corner ripped apart any illusions I had left.

"Throw that animal in the shredder!"

The two men at the door moved at once and grabbed Snowie by the scruff.

Snowie's eyes were full of fear and fury. Its paws clawed wildly, but it couldn't break free from their huge arms.

My chest tightened, and I shouted, "Stop!"

A guard pinned me so I couldn't move.

"Mr. Frank, Ms. Huber came here to humiliate Ms. Wheeler. Snowie bit her in defense!" my maid protested on my behalf.

"You're lying!" Loretta cried, clutching her hand with a voice that trembled with tears. "She kept that mad dog on purpose to hurt me!"

Garrett glanced at me with icy disdain, then bent down to help Loretta to her feet.

"Get rid of that mad dog."

Snowie was hoisted up, and the guard twisted its neck.

My heart turned to ice. I didn't think twice and lunged to snatch Snowie back.

"Garrett! Snowie was protecting me. Loretta started it. She's the one who attacked…"

But he didn't look at me. He simply tossed Snowie aside.

Snowie struggled twice on the floor, then its neck went limp. Silence followed.

I sank to my knees, stunned, the painful scene replaying in my mind.

In my last life, Garrett was just as merciless. He had bribed a vet to use Snowie as an experiment. It eventually died on a cold table.

I bit my lip until the sobs went silent.

"Garrett, I raised Snowie since I was a kid. Do you have to be so cruel?"

My fists clenched, and my voice was hoarse.

But Garrett only sneered, "You're lucky I let you live. Don't forget that. My heart has always belonged to Loretta. If you mess with her again, you'll be the next one dead."

He carried Loretta away without looking back.

I kept my head down, my nails digging into my palm.

Loretta shot me a final glare, full of contempt and triumph.

Garrett might not know it yet, but by killing Snowie, he also killed his last chance of saving himself. Forget inheriting the family business! It would be a miracle if he survived another month.

Snowie's body was already stiff. I trembled as I picked it up and dug a small grave in the yard.

All my life, Snowie had stayed by my side. Even when it was tortured to death in the last life, it never let go of my hand.

My tears fell hard into the dirt.

In that moment, the pain made breathing hurt.

"Do you want some help?"

I looked up into Jim Hammond's dark, gentle eyes.

At yesterday's dinner party, Garrett wasn't the only one bitten by a snake. Jim had also been bitten.

In my previous life, I had poured everything into saving Garrett. I cut my wrist to use my blood as an antidote, and Jim died because he didn't get treatment in time.

But yesterday, I had made a special antidote from my blood ahead of time and arranged for it to be given to Jim immediately after he was bitten, so he survived.

I wiped the wet tracks from my face and said with absolute seriousness, "Are you interested in a little partnership? I'll help you take down Frank Corporation, and you marry me."